SPORTS BRIEFS

Agencies

Wed, May 08, 2013 - Page 18

ICE HOCKEY

Switzerland win again

Switzerland scored three quick-fire goals in the third period to beat the Czech Republic 5-2 on Monday and continue their stunning start to the world championships. Andres Ambuhl gave Switzerland the lead with a power-play goal at the end of the first period, before Nino Niederreiter doubled their advantage in the second. Jiri Hudler scored twice to bring the Czech Republic back into the game, but the Swiss turned up the heat in the third, firing three goals without reply to move to the top of the group on eight points. In the day’s second game, an ineffective Sweden limped to a 2-1 victory over Belarus. The Swedes fell behind in the first period, but Oscar Lindberg leveled the scores when he netted five minutes into the second. Fredrik Pettersson scored the winner for Sweden with eight and a half minutes left. Co-hosts Finland endured a frustrating first period against France in Helsinki, but Juhamatti Aaltonen created one goal and scored another to turn the game in their favor and they ran out 3-1 winners. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare pulled a goal back for France at the start of the third period, but Ville Viitaluoma netted eight minutes later for the Finns to put the game beyond reach. In the early game in Helsinki, Germany lost 3-2 to Slovakia, Tomas Zaborsky scoring twice in the third period to help his team to victory.

TENNIS

Tomic’s dad charged

The father of Australian player Bernard Tomic has been charged with assaulting his son’s hitting partner after allegedly headbutting Thomas Drouet ahead of this week’s Madrid Open. A Madrid court said on Monday that John Tomic, who is also his son’s coach, disputed the charges and will face trial next Tuesday. Drouet, of Monaco, told Australian newspaper the Herald Sun that John Tomic headbutted him on Saturday during a scuffle outside the players’ hotel. Drouet said he has been verbally abused for months by the elder Tomic and that the two had been arguing over whether he should continue to get paid as a training partner. The newspaper published pictures on its Web site of Drouet with his nose heavily bandaged and wearing a neck brace.

RUGBY UNION

Leinster appoint O’Connor

Heineken Cup holders Leinster have appointed Leicester’s Matt O’Connor as their new head coach following the departure of Joe Schmidt to take charge of the Ireland national team. Australian O’Connor, who has been head coach of Leicester since 2010, is to begin a three-year deal at the Irish provincial side in July when New Zealander Schmidt steps down.

GOLF

Rules now in Chinese

China’s golf boom has been in full swing for more than a decade, but officials have finally moved to close a surprising loophole by translating the sport’s rules into Chinese. Now China’s players and officials — and its unruly fans — can become experts in the sport’s complex etiquette after the move by the China Golf Association (CGA) and rules body the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Zhang Xiaoning, executive vice-president and general secretary of the CGA, called the move “crucial” as China transitions from rapidly growing upstart to a mainstay of the world game. “Translating the rules into Chinese will help the Chinese fans to learn how to appreciate the sport and will also assist local clubs in training their members about world-accepted standards,” he said, according to the China Daily.